Issue - meetings

Report No: DEV/WS/21/001

Planning application - Conversion of existing storage barn to one dwelling with associated access and parking

(Councillor Ian Houlder declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in view of having worked for Greene King (the owner of the premises) for a number of years prior to retirement.  He would continue to take part in the meeting and determination of the item.

Councillor Richard Alecock declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in view of being a Mildenhall High Town Councillor, however, he stipulated that he did not take part in the High Town Council's formal consideration of the application and he would therefore continue to take part in the Committee meeting and determination of the item.

Councillor Andy Drummond declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in view of his parents living close to the application site, he would therefore not take part in the determination of the item.)

Planning application - Conversion of existing storage barn to one dwelling with associated access and parking

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel and in view of the support from Mildenhall High Town Council, which was in conflict with the Officer’s recommendation of refusal, for the reason set out in Paragraph 46 of Report No DEV/WS/21/001.

As part of his presentation the Officer provided videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Speakers:    Councillor Ian Shipp (Ward Member: Mildenhall Kingsway & Market) spoke in support of the application

                   Ron Pammenter (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Neither individual connected to the meeting to personally address the Committee and instead opted to have the Democratic Services Officer read out pre-prepared submitted statements on their behalf.  During this part of the meeting Councillor Carol Bull briefly lost connection during the Ward Member’s statement, accordingly the Chair asked the Democratic Services Officer to re-read this statement once Councillor Bull had regained connection.)

During the debate the Committee posed a number of questions which the Planning Officer responded to as follows:

Wall – it was confirmed that the wall in question was not listed and had been assessed by the Council’s Conservation Officer as not being of listed status;

Access – the joint access was not able to be amended and the application should be considered as set out in the proposed plans;

Occupation – contrary to the statement from the applicant, the Planning Authority had been advised that the intention was for the converted building to be rented out; and

Linkage condition – Members were informed that, if they so wished, it would be possible to condition planning permission to tie the occupation of the converted building to that of the public house, thereby, preventing it from being an independent premises.

Councillor Don Waldron proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, as he did not consider that the proposal would have a significant adverse impact on the public house or future residents of the converted building. This was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.

In response, the Service Manager (Planning – Development) addressed the meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103